Justin Verlander struck out 11 in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Athletics. / Tim Fuller, US PRESSWIRE

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

Tigers 3, Athletics 1: The Tigers won a game they simply had to win with Justin Verlander on the mound against rookie Jarrod Parker.

State of the Series: The Tigers took the first game of the series, and could put themselves in great position Sunday with another victory. Veteran Doug Fister is pitching for the Tigers against Tommy Milone. Huge advantage for the Tigers, with Milone failing to last five innings in three of his six September starts, giving up nine hits and three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings two weeks ago against the Tigers. If the Tigers win Sunday, the worst thing that can happen is that the Athletics win the next two, but the Tigers would still have Verlander on the mound for Game 5. If nothing else, the youthful Athletics certainly showed they're not scared. They made Verlander work for everything, and except for rookie starter Jarrod Parker's fielding error, played a clean game. The Tigers are in good position, but then again, so were the Texas Rangers a week ago.

Game 1 Pivot Point: The moment Verlander stepped on the mound. OK, maybe a minute after he stepped on the mound, considering that Coco Crisp hit a leadoff homer. Verlander got stronger as the game went on, striking out six of the last 10 batters he faced. He struck out five in a row at one point, and wound up yielding just three hits and striking out 11.

Man of the Moment: The Tigers badly needed Verlander to deliver. He certainly did. He shut down the Athletics' offense after Crisp's leadoff homer, and never gave up another run during his seven-inning stint, striking out 11. If the Tigers are going to play deep into October, Verlander will have to resemble his regular-season production, and not his past postseason struggles. He entered the game with just a 3-3 record and 5.57 ERA in eight career postseason starts.

Needing a mulligan: Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss had never played in a postseason game until Saturday. He won't be putting this one in the family album. Moss struck out three times as the A's cleanup hitter, and their Nos. 3-8 hitters failed to get a hit, going a combined 0-for-15 with nine strikeouts off Verlander. Moss hardly resembled the same dude that hit .372 with 28 ruins, 11 doubles, nine homers down the pennant stretch in his last 33 games.

What you missed on TV: The Comerica Park public address announcer paused for nearly 20 seconds to permit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera to bask in the glory during the starting lineup introductions. Cabrera finished the season on the road for the final six games when he won the Triple Crown and, most likely, the MVP award.

Unsung Hero: Tigers left fielder Quintin Berry. He batted No. 2 in the lineup and was instrumental in their offense with his two hits. He reached on an infield single that moved Austin Jackson to third base in the first inning, and A's starter Parker was unable to handle his squibber in the third inning, leading to another run.

Manager's special: Jim Leyland knew that Joaquin Benoit had badly struggled down the stretch. He might have been their most unreliable reliever down the stretch. No matter. He still entrusted him with a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. Benoit gave him a scare when Moss drove the ball to deep right field, but it landed safely in Andy Dirks' glove. It may be the confidence boost Benoit needs.

Glove story: Athletics second baseman Cliff Pennington made a nice, running catch into shallow left-center-field on a blooper by Cabrera that saved two runs in the third inning that prevented the Tigers from blowing the game open.